Removing Protective Tape

I had a bug deflector on the 2006 that I bought about a month ago and I decided to remove it because it was cracked. The protective tape that was under the metal brackets has all kind of dirt under it, it is cracked etc. What I want to know is the best way to remove it without causing any damage.

 

Soak it in Goo-Gone and gently work it loose.

 

First thing I would try is GooGone because it's readily available. Adhesive remover. Just to be clear, use GOO GONE, not Goof Off! Goof Off is a hasher chemical that will dull the paint finish on your truck and could cause peeling if you leave it on long enough.
Second is a pinstripe eraser. It's a drill attachment used for removing old decals and pinstriped. It's soft rubber (softer than a pencil eraser) and does "crumble" and you use it so it will not mar or damage the paint.
After that, steam. If you have a good household iron or your wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/mother/neightbor has a clothing steamer, you could try that with a combination of a paper towel (Scotts blue) wrapped around a plastic spatula.

Also with any of these, I'd open the hood and place something in the gap to protect your headlight just in case. Bath towel, cardboard, neighbor's cat. One slip and you'll be needing a new headlight too.

 

Never thought of Goo-Gone, just figured it would be rough on the paint.

How hot can I get the paint? I have a shark steam cleaner, or I could try water from a coffee pot also.

I have a little bit of touch up paint to do, I don't want to make it worse.

My old Ranger had these terrible splash graphics going all the way down the sides, I parked it in the sun on a hot day and they peeled off quite easily, but this truck is white and it isn't going to get very warm this week.

 

I wouldn't use water direct from the coffee pot. Steam is less harmful to the paint, but I would try goo-gone first, then the eraser, then steam. Each one of those options gets more aggressive so use extreme caution as you move to the next step. Sometimes going slow and being patient will get you the results you want.

A heat gun might work as well. The same way people remove their badges (constant movement of the heat gun). You'll still have the residue, but goo gone will make short work of it once the tape is off.

 

A hair dryer should be sufficient heat.

 

Goo-Gone is citrus based so it won't hurt the paint. Goof-Off will peel the clear coat if you go at it too hard, so ONLY use Goo-Gone!

 

White truck. No clear coat. Will still eat the paint though.

 

Just to be clear DO NOT USE ANY CHEMICALS TO GET IT OFF. Use a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the adhesive. Use a clay bar to help remove residue.

You will not convince me adhesive removers are paint safe in any way.

Another reason why I don't like recommending people use any harsh adhesive remover is because usually with it people use scrubbers, brushes, old bath towels etc to scrub the area which will cause scratching and marring of paint.

Use paint safe materials all the way around. Heat and clay bar. Take your time. Also ideal to wash the truck right before.

 

FYI the goo-gone did a good enough job with a plastic scraper. My paint was so oxidized that the truck looked matte white, I was in the process of taking polishing compound to it when I decided to remove the cracked bug deflector.

After I got the tape on the outside removed and most of the black marks I took a sponge with polishing compound to the marks and they are gone. The paint under that tape looked like it was brand new in stark contrast to the rest of the hood. Now I only have some paint chips to take care of with some touchup.

I am now considering removing the TRD Offroad stickers on the sides at the back part of the bed.